Rolfing Sessions I to III

In this session the Rolfer works on the body as a whole, generally freeing up the tensions, adhesions and stocking together of musculature from hardened or knotted fascia. Rolfing is a method that works on very deep layers of the physiology - this first session in comparison works on the fascial layers just underneath the skin's surface. This session pulls the upper back and legs out and away somewhat from the pelvis. Also since the ribs, upper body are worked through, breathing is affected positively. The goal is to help the patient to use the entire ribcage and diaphragm for deeper more oxygenated breathing.

Session Two

The feet are the focus here. Since the feet are the foundation for weight bearing in the human structure it is only logical that the Rolfer's work begins now with the feet which will 'hold up the house' so to speak. Any work done on any other part of the body, e.g., chest, pelvis, arms and so on won't last very long if any imbalance remains in the feet; their inequity will be compensated for by an awkward adjustment in another part. Hence, the feet, lower legs and knees it is.

It attempts to allow people to walk the way they were meant to - with a slight upper body movement forward and an accompanying leg movement to carry the body weight into the forward step rather than simply dragging the upper body behind the forward moving legs - in the latter the person experiences too much pressure and wear and tear on the heels as they bear the brunt of the upper body weight in every movement; some people move too far forward with the upper body, literally allowing no weight bearing activity by the legs, which of course then flail aimlessly after the upper half. In this case the person holds a great deal of tension in the upper body especially shoulders and upper back. Ideally, in walking, each step should find the whole foot bearing the weight rather than any one part such as the outer edge of the feet, heels, toes or the in-step - it should be evenly distributed on all these areas. The rolfer works on the feet to enable this pattern of movement.

Session Three

If you look at yourself sideways in the mirror you will often find that some part of you isn't where it should be - your derriere may stick out, your legs probably hyperextend at the calves, your upper back hunches, your shoulders droop, ....and on goes the list of complaints. This is what the third session addresses. It is designed to arrange the arms, ribcage, hips or pelvis in an even line, essentially manipulating the fascia that holds these structures, enough to then stack them atop each other. This session also revisits one important element from the first session - that of separating the shoulder girdle(up) and the pelvis (down)from the ribcage so that each of these vital musculoskeletal parts is able to function in its full range of motion without being bunched in with other parts.

Go To Page: 1 2